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I'm a ship sponsor
I'm not a big contributor, only a small one and today I received my invitation to the commissioning of the USS BILLINGS LCS15.I wish I could go, but I'll watch the ceremony live on the internet. This is the second ship I've become a part of, the other is the USS INDIANAPOLIS LCS 17.
Retired trike builder
America's first lady trike builder.
Good for you!
Are you a Navy vet?
I ask, as you post a lot of Navy info...
Isn't it weird that in AMERICA, our flag and our culture offend so many people...but our benefits don't???
I'll give you a little about myself and the Navy. When I was young I wanted to enlist badly. I had a copy of the Bluejacket's Manual and read it cover to cover. I asked my mom if it was okay for me to give it a try and fulfill the goal and she had no problem. Next day I went to the recruiter, talked, signed papers and in 2 weeks I'd take the ASVAB test. I took the test and did very well and back then I was eligible for any job open to women and the recruiter was pleased. In 2 weeks I'd take my physical at the Tampa MEPS center and then off to Orlando RTC. I went through the physical only to be rejected because of bad eye sight, they were picky back then. Nothing was worse than having your goal slip away, even the recruiter felt bad as he never saw someone so eager to enlist. I can look back now and say that I tried, instead of thinking I wonder if I would have made it if I didn't try. So I have a soft spot for the Navy and I know that if I had gone through RTC and graduated I'd have made a good CPO and a good leader and probably retired after 20 years of service.
Retired trike builder
America's first lady trike builder.
Good on you for trying!
My wife went through Orlando RTC in the early 80's, as that was the only women's boot camp at the time. Not sure exactly why, as she took that secret to her grave, but she refused to go back to Florida years after we got out of the service!
Isn't it weird that in AMERICA, our flag and our culture offend so many people...but our benefits don't???
Lots of respect for you in what you have done in your life
Nuff Said," Were Burnin Daylight, Lets Ride"(Sober 37 years)
Current ride : 2021 FREEWHEELER M8, oldest ride 1960 FL
When I was living in Florida and attending Wyotech my storage unit got cleaned out of a lot of family mementos, collectibles and tools, one of the things they took was that Bluejackets' Manual and I found a replacement some time ago. While the thief thought it was a worthless book, for me it was a piece of the puzzle that makes up my life. Yes, I do read it every now and then.
Retired trike builder
America's first lady trike builder.
Good memories last a lifetime' Val....Originally Posted by trike lady
.....
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
SALUTE, thank you for your support. I have a grandson on the USS Abraham Lincoln. He is where the current action is happening.
US Army Retired, Command Sergeant Major
No longer riding, memories, memories
U.S.N.
You gave it your BEST, that says a WHOLE LOT in itself.......as a Navy Vet i
commend you for your efforts! I joined during the Viet Nam era and really
came close to going for 20..........still have fond memories of those 4+ years!
Hang in there YOUNG LADY, we all enjoy your contrubtions to TT.
I wish i still had my copy of the Bible (Blue Jackets Manuel)
Your disappointment was, the Navy's loss ... I always got a kick out of the old signs ... "Looking for a Few Good Men", Uncle Sam wants You" and such that promote the military as an old boys club ... Although the military, and even more so the Navy, present unique challenges to women serving (space, privacy limitations, stereotypes and the "Natural Roles" of men and women) two of my best years in the Navy were on a Sub Tender (Non combatant - at the time, only place women could serve on a ship), opened my eyes to the incredible resource women serving was.
I'll admit, I was very much against women serving for the reasons already stated. And yes, the Tender I was on was one of the first ships with women serving and we did have a bunch of "growing pains" ... mostly with getting men to accept the women.
One of my friends got electrocuted working on a power panel. He was actually unable to "release" his hand from the panel because his muscles contracted so badly. One of the women in his division acted pretty quickly and ran at him and threw her weight into him knocking him off the panel and throwing both of them to the deck. She then administered CPR for about 5 minutes until someone came by and called for medical help. This "98# weakling" saved my buddy's life (what she lacked in mass she more than made up for in heart and intellect). He ended up having burns over most of his body snd needed three years of skin grafts and physical therapy, but, he went on to live a full life, scars and all. The women was his "best man" at his wedding and threw him the best bachelor party I've ever seen ... LOL. She asked him to be her son's God father after she got married and gave birth. As far as I know, they are still great friends and their families are too.
That is just one of the many instances that "proved to me" that having women in the Navy (and the military in general) was a great thing. For the most part (there are exceptions to every thing) the women I served with were hardworking, honorable shipmates. I was lucky to have had that experience.
So again I say, your disappointment in not be able to serve, was definitely the Navy's loss. Anyone that has the love for the Navy that you obviously do, without being able to serve, clearly would of been a great asset. I would of been honored to serve with you.
Hello Trike Lady
I enlisted at 17 and did my 4 in the navy, I think one of the big mistakes of my life, I should have stayed in for 20 and retired think of it out at 37 with full pension and could have got a good job and retired again. I still don't know why after 4 I shipped my seabag home.
Hello Trike Lady
I enlisted at 17 and did my 4 in the navy, I think one of the big mistakes of my life, I should have stayed in for 20 and retired think of it out at 37 with full pension and could have got a good job and retired again. I still don't know why after 4 I shipped my seabag home.
A shell Back said it
Thank you for your service.
That was my goal 20 years in the Navy, would have retired at 43. I was 23 at the time.
Today I participate in ship commissions and to be part of making sure that we have the 'Best' Navy and that our sailors have what they need to do their job protecting America. My contribution may only be $25.00 per ship and it is going to a good cause.
My father was a Marine who fought in WWII and my high school sweet heart was a Marine fought in Vietnam and never came home. I pray for out men and women in uniform who put themselves in harms way that they return home safe.
Retired trike builder
America's first lady trike builder.
I'll be adding a third ship to my sponsorship list, the The USS Paul Ignatius (DDG-117) set to be commissioned on July 27, 2019 in Florida.
I have a list I work from: https://www.navycommissionings.org/
Retired trike builder
America's first lady trike builder.
They rejected men too TL. I'm proof of it. I was prepared to die but instead I was rejected due to a bad back. My back had never stopped me before but they used it to stop me then. It tore me up and I was bitter for years. When the PGR was formed I finally got to contribute in a very small way. It's the best I could do finally and I've since got where I'm not so bitter. But it still gets to me when I see guys, and now gals, talking about their service and I can't join in. I did the other best thing I could do back in the 60's as well. There was a Army/Air Force base close by so I got a job at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service as a civilian employee. I did 3 years there before moving on. So I did the best I could but I can't say I'm a veteran. That part hurts to this day. I feel like I have survivors remorse but never served. But I still do the PGR stuff when I can. It's just not the same when I see veterans salute and I never earned the right to it myself.I'll give you a little about myself and the Navy. When I was young I wanted to enlist badly. I had a copy of the Bluejacket's Manual and read it cover to cover. I asked my mom if it was okay for me to give it a try and fulfill the goal and she had no problem. Next day I went to the recruiter, talked, signed papers and in 2 weeks I'd take the ASVAB test. I took the test and did very well and back then I was eligible for any job open to women and the recruiter was pleased. In 2 weeks I'd take my physical at the Tampa MEPS center and then off to Orlando RTC. I went through the physical only to be rejected because of bad eye sight, they were picky back then. Nothing was worse than having your goal slip away, even the recruiter felt bad as he never saw someone so eager to enlist. I can look back now and say that I tried, instead of thinking I wonder if I would have made it if I didn't try. So I have a soft spot for the Navy and I know that if I had gone through RTC and graduated I'd have made a good CPO and a good leader and probably retired after 20 years of service.Never knew about commissioning ships. Will be looking into that more. Thanks for the link TL.
The only reason some people are still alive is it's illegal to shoot them.
American Legion Rider
My son builds them. He works for Newport News Shipbuilding.I'll be adding a third ship to my sponsorship list, the The USS Paul Ignatius (DDG-117) set to be commissioned on July 27, 2019 in Florida.
I have a list I work from: https://www.navycommissionings.org/
Bill
2010 Tri-glide, Red Hot Sunglo
R I P MANDY
This is the link to the one in July in Florida. http://www.browardnavydaysinc.org/commissioning.html If you cannot send what they list on the website, they'll accept any size donation, I've contacted the president and was told in an email. Tonight I write the check for my contribution.
Retired trike builder
America's first lady trike builder.
Val, I agree, your disappointment was the Navy's loss. Your continued interest in the Navy by your sponsorship of ships is commendable. You are a true patriot.
"I don't need a map. I still have a road in front of me!"
I guess any donation I could make would be ranked The Rat Climbing The Anchor Chain.
The only reason some people are still alive is it's illegal to shoot them.
American Legion Rider
That's about what mine are at $25.00 per ship. I get a very small Social Security and I set aside $25.00. Every little bit helps.I guess any donation I could make would be ranked The Rat Climbing The Anchor Chain.
The ceremony is usually shown here live: https://navylive.dodlive.mil/
Retired trike builder
America's first lady trike builder.
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